Author Archive
In Celebration of Artifice
Real or fake? Appraisal being something of a way of life, this question is applied to almost everything nowadays from memoir writers, TV shows and handbags, along with its more traditional subjects like body parts, bacon bits, and bling. The understanding is always that real is better, preferred, and ideal. And, sometimes it is. But with the holiday season upon us, this seems a perfect time to celebrate an authenticity not of pretty objects and entertainment, but of feelings, words and actions. And conversely, to appreciate the sly value of the blatantly, shamelessly unreal, the charmingly sincere fake that does not seek to deceive. In that spirit, here’s the following fake trees, ranging from tabletop to full size, as an invitation to rethink what makes something “a good fake.”
In the words of the band Blonde Redhead: Fake can be just as good
Felt Trees from CB2
Felt Trees from CB2
The clean lines and spare profile of these soft conical wonders from CB2 add a decorative touch without any fussiness.
Mini Ornament Tree from Crate and Barrel
Mini Ornament Tree from Crate and Barrel
If all you really want is to show off your ornament collection, then maybe all that greenery is just in the way. This tiny ornament tree with its scrolled hooks for ornaments is an ideal way to showcase beloved favorites so they don’t get lost in the branches.
Bottle Brush Tree by Kuno Prey
Bottle Brush Tree by Kuno Prey
This German import featuring a rendition of the humble bottle brush elevates the mundane to the celebratory and was designed by Kuno Prey, a professor at the Free University of Bolzano in Italy.
Modern Menorahs for Hanukkah
With the countdown to Hanukkah already underway, what better time to look at some of the extraordinary ways the quintessential symbol of the Festival of Lights has been reimagined as an objet de art, at times playful, but always creative. If you have not yet found your own personal platonic ideal of a menorah, then look to our round-up below.
Michael Aram Lotus Blossom Menorah
Michael Aram Lotus Blossom Menorah
This handcrafted nickel-plate menorah composed of graceful, intertwined lotus blossoms displays the nature motif so central to Aram’s work and would make a beautiful and elegant centerpiece. The delicate stems are reminiscent of Tim Burton’s artwork.
Pipe Menorah
Pipe Menorah
Bringing industrial style to the holiday, this menorah crafted from galvanized steel pipes comes to us from modern Renaissance man Joe Grand- an electrical engineer/hacker/inventor-cum-author/computer security guru/president of the San Francisco-based Grand Idea Studios.
The Jewish Museum Menorahmorph in Blue by Karim Rashid
The Jewish Museum Menorahmorph in Blue by Karim Rashid
The Jewish Museum in New York commissioned this appropriately titled silicone menorah in honor of its centennial in 2004. Also available in orange and lime, this signature piece will be immediately familiar to anyone acquainted with Rashid’s work.
Concrete Menorah from ceMMent Design
Concrete Menorah
Concrete Menorah (redux)
Israeli-born designer Marit Meisler founded ceMMent Design to showcase her innovative creations, which are made–intuitively enough–of cement. This adaptable cement and stainless steel menorah can be configured in any number of ways, making it an incredibly versatile choice.
Candorah Candle Holder by Michelle Ivankovic for Umbra
Candorah Candle Holder by Michelle Ivankovic for Umbra
Menorah designed by Marilyn Davidson for Nambé
Menorah designed by Marilyn Davidson for Nambé
The clean lines of this simple and elegant menorah made of Nambé’s signature metal would complement any décor.
Jonathan Adler Utopia Man/Woman Menorah
Jonathan Adler Utopia Man/Woman Menorah
Finally, a reversible menorah! This set of nine distinctive pieces made of high fired brown stoneware with a high gloss sheer white glaze can be turned to reveal either a passel of glasses-wearing hipsters accompanied by rosy cheeked lasses, or a bevy of mustachioed older gentlemen with their elegantly coiffed-and-necklaced female counterparts. Or, mix and match!
Posted by Jocelyn Kwiatkowski
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